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Apr 28 New Organic Craft BrewFest to take place June 23-25 at Overlook Park

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Organic Craft BrewFest will debut June 23 through June 25 at Overlook Park, 1599 N Fremont St., in Portland. Event hours are Noon to 9pm Friday and Saturday and Noon to 5pm Sunday. The event will present 60 organically brewed craft beverages, including beer, cider and mead, as well as food carts, sustainability-oriented vendors and nonprofits, a soda garden for minors and designated drivers, games for adults, and a children's area with face painting and activities – all in a beautiful park setting.

The Organic Beer Fest focuses on raising awareness about organically brewed beverages and sustainable living. The event serves up 60 organically brewed products, with styles ranging from ciders to cream ales, ambers to lagers, and fruit beers to IPAs. All the products have been brewed using a minimum of 70% organic ingredients, per USDA guidelines.

Advance packages cost $25 per individual and include the festival cup, 15 drink tickets, a wristband, and free re-entry all weekend (with wristband & cup). Packages at the door cost $25 per individual and include the festival cup, 10 drink tickets, a wristband, and free re-entry all weekend (with wristband & cup). Advance packages are on sale now through Bold Type Tickets at http://www.merctickets.com/events/43891630/organic-craft-brewfest.

Designated drivers may purchase a ticket for $5 at the door, which includes handcrafted Crater Lake Soda and a bottle of water; designated drivers are not allowed to consume any alcohol. Minors under the age of 21 receive free admission, but must be accompanied by a parent. Leashed dogs accompanied by responsible owners are welcome.

Most products cost one ticket for a taste and four tickets for a fill. Select products, including some beers and most meads and ciders, may cost extra tickets. Additional drink tickets are available at the festival for $1 apiece.

The festival encourages responsible drinking and urges patrons to take advantage of the MAX Light Rail; the Yellow Line Overlook Park Station is adjacent to the festival. Attendees can also take advantage of the Hopworks Urban Brewery Bike Corral, where volunteers watch over bikes for free. Patrons receive an extra ticket with a validated Tri-Met ticket or a ticket from the Hopworks Bike Corral (one discount per person).

The goal of the Organic Craft BrewFest is to promote and celebrate the spirit of organic brewing. In the United States, an organic product is considered truly organic when the product bears the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s official USDA Certified Organic seal; has been certified organic by an accredited organic certifying agency; and contains 95% or more organic ingredients. Products can also be made with organic ingredients, meaning the product contains at least 70% organic ingredients, excluding added water and salt. Organizations that sell less than $5,000 worth of organic products annually are not required to get certification; many of the products at this festival fall into this category.

The Organic Craft BrewFest benefits the Timbers Army 107IST (Independent Supporters Trust), whose mission is to support soccer in and around Portland, from the grassroots to the highest professional level. The 107IST is a member-based non-profit organization open to anyone who loves soccer, the Timbers/Thorns, and Portland.

Kerry Finsand is an Oregon native and has been a fan of craft beer for many years. He helped co-found Taplister and continues to be intrigued by technology and how it can assist in growing craft beer. He also assists with PDX Beer Week and organizes the annual Rye Beer Fest that is a fundraiser for local charities. When not drinking craft beer he enjoys attending sporting events and getting outdoors to explore all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Beer Heard is Kerry's next exploration of how technology influences beer. BeerHeard.com. Kerry can be followed on Twitter at @kfinsand.

Kerry Finsand is an Oregon native and has been a fan of craft beer for many years. He helped co-found Taplister and continues to be intrigued by technology and how it can assist in growing craft beer. He also assists with PDX Beer Week and organizes the annual Rye Beer Fest that is a fundraiser for local charities. When not drinking craft beer he enjoys attending sporting events and getting outdoors to explore all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Beer Heard is Kerry's next exploration of how technology influences beer. BeerHeard.com. Kerry can be followed on Twitter at @kfinsand.